en
members were taken prisoners, and he captured and destroyed large
Quantities of military stores and tobacco. Jefferson and the rest of the
assembly made their escape by getting upon fresher horses. Lieutenant
Simcoe had been detached, with five hundred infantry, to destroy the
military stores deposited at the Point of Fork, fifty miles below
Richmond; and Tarleton now proceeded to join him in this enterprise.
Simcoe found that these stores had been removed by Baron Steuben to the
other side of the river Fluvanna, and that Steuben's whole force had
followed in the same direction. Simcoe followed the baron, and by some
ingenious stratagems, made him believe that the whole army of Lord
Cornwallis was advancing against him. Acting upon this impression,
Steuben fled in disorder, and abandoned his stores, which were
destroyed by the British. Steuben joined Lafayette; and soon after, the
Pennsylvanian line, under General Wayne, joined his forces likewise.
At this time Lord Cornwallis was advancing with his main body upon
Albemarle Old Court-house, where there was a great deposit of military
stores. Lafayette resolved to protect these, and by a rapid movement
he was enabled to take up a strong position in front, of Albemarle Old
Court-house some hours before Cornwallis arrived. Cornwallis had just
received orders from Sir Henry Clinton to send part of his troops back
to New York, in order to defend that city from a contemplated attack
by the joint forces of the French and Americans. Avoiding a battle,
therefore, Cornwallis slowly retired to Richmond, followed in his rear
by Lafayette, who had, however, no intention of risking an action.
From Richmond, the British general proceeded to Williamsburg, which he
captured without opposition. From Williamsburg, he marched to a ford
across James's River, and sent part of his army, with his baggage and
stores, to the opposite bank, in the direction of Portsmouth. Lafayette,
who was still timidly following, conceived that nothing was left on
his side of the river but the rear-guard of the British, and he then
quickened his pace to strike a blow. A battle ensued, in which Lafayette
was routed, and his cannon taken, while he lost about three hundred
in killed and wounded. Lafayette retired up the river to repose his
harassed forces, and Lord Cornwallis then crossed the river, and marched
to Portsmouth. While here, he embarked the troops that were required at
New York; but before they sail